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VOYA and Booklist are two super-important publications that do the important work of getting books into young people's hands, and on the inside cover of the FLUTTER paperback, both of these journals have awesome things to say about the my book. And that just sort of freaks me out because it is so wonderful!
So thank you VOYA and Booklist!
The cover for the FLUTTER paperback is here, and it is gorgeous! I absolutely love the new direction that Random House and Designer Heather have taken with this cover. So simple. So cute and romantic, yet also giving a nod to the heart of the book and the seizures that Emery has to endure, the strange results in her EEG testing, and what it is that her brain can do!
The paperback will be available on October 8th, and you can preorder now for only $9.99! Click here to order.
Last week I was lucky enough to be a guest speaker at the Bolingbrook Middle School's Writer's Conference, and the kids there were just awesome. Thank you to the wonderful teachers at the Valley View School District for asking me to speak.
The students involved in this conference were chosen for their accomplishments and interest in writing. I mean, is this awesome or what? To have a school district celebrate writing in this way. These students asked intriguing questions, laughed at my stupid jokes, and talked about books and characters that they loved. ANd while I was giving my talk on generating ideas, we had some really good conversations about things that work in YA novels and things that don't, and let me tell you, I was INSPIRED.
It is such a rare thing to get to be surrounded by people that love the process of writing, so I was just geeked out over the whole experience. These kids were so smart, so ready to conquer the world. I can't wait to read their best sellers in a few years.
Here's a picture with me talking with my hands too much. (And note to self, I keep wearing the same outfit to all my speaking engagements. Change it up!)
Next up: Downers Grove Bel Aire! Can't wait to meet you all!
Oooooh, look at the spooky coolness! I am looking forward to giving away these gorgeous bookmarks, plus some New Orleans-ish, Mardi-Gras swag to go along with it! Coming soon!
I've been reading a lot of really good books lately, and one theme I have been loving is the young, female protagonist in adult literature. Not that there aren't a lot of these protagonists, but just that these books -- and these authors-- are being heralded as SERIOUS. As LITERARY.
Because too often, I feel like the young female as protagonist doesn't get her due. Critics and reviewers want to give it some label like chick lit or something that devalues it. Marks it as fluff. However, if a novel has a male protagonist, a young one in his teens, such as THE ART OF FIELDING or CATCHER IN THE RYE, well, of course, that book is hailed as the NEXT BIG THING! Don't get me wrong, I loved those books, but we need to see young females as important as well, as having a lot to offer to the world of serious literature.
Well, these books below are getting the respect they deserve, and they have young female protagonists. These book have universal, coming-of-age-type plots, and they are being lauded as the REAL DEAL, and I am so glad. Being a young girl, having one as an MC, these things do not automatically equal frivolous and supercilious.
Okay, enough with my rant.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Such a real, authentic teen voice. And a heartbreaking relationship between sisters, set in the 80s. It's just a study in family relationships and what it means to grow up and know your parents and elders as people. I loved it.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson
This book was spellbinding. Just the kind of book I love, realistic, contemporary, with an edge of sci-fi. Oooh, it was creepy and cool, hitting a little too close to home at times. And the narrator was a teen girl, with a real, interesting, three-dimensional voice. I think I just read this is getting made into a movie. I hope so!
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
Just so good. The setting is a character in this book, and it is done so well. The swamp itself alienating the kids works on so many levels. The narrator's voice in this one, as she grows up, losing her innocence, I can't think of a better character arc, better writing. This book is HOW IT'S DONE.
AAAAH! I'm having technology problems! Several of you have let me know that the google.doc link below is behaving badly. If that is the case, please just email me the following info: Your name, Your website, Number of page loads in a week, Whether or not you will accept an e-galley, Your email address.
Email me at gina (at) ginalinko.com.
And I'll make sure you get entered into that form! Thank you!
I am told that INDIGO will soon be available on Netgalley, and if you would like to request an e-ARC, please click on the link and fill out the quick form. You will then be able to access INDIGO as soon as it is available!
Here is the link: ARC request form for INDIGO
I owe so many book bloggers and reviewers so much for their time and efforts in reviewing FLUTTER! I have found the YA book blogging community to be so supportive. It is really overwhelming and just AWESOME what you bloggers do for spreading the word about YA books. Anyway, I hope that this form can make it easier for you to get your hands on an early copy of INDIGO!
Also, you can always email me at gina (at) ginalinko.com with any questions or problems.
Thank you!
Would you like an ARC of INDIGO? I have one up for grabs on Goodreads. Enter below!
A gift?
A curse?
A moment that changes everything. . . .
Caught in an unexpected spring squall, Corrine's first instinct is to protect her little sister Sophie after a nasty fall. But when Corrine reaches out to comfort her sister, the exact opposite occurs. Her touch--charged with an otherworldly force and bursting with blinding indigo color--surges violently from Corrine to her sister. In an instant, Sophie is dead. From that moment on, Corrine convinces herself that everyone would be better off if she simply withdrew from life.
When her family abruptly moves to New Orleans, Corrine's withdrawal is made all the easier. No friends. No connections. No chance of hurting anyone. But strange things continue to happen around her in this haunting, mystical city. And she realizes that her power cannot be ignored, especially when Rennick, a talented local artist with a bad-boy past, suggests another possibility: Corrine might have the touch. An ability to heal those around her. But knowing what happened to her sister, can Corrine trust her gift?
Go on over to Cari's Book Blog and you can win an ARC of INDIGO and an iPod Shuffle!
http://cariblogs.blogspot.com/2013/02/young-adult-paranormal-giveaway-hop.html
Happy Valentine's Day!
And because I love you all so much... I am putting together a very fancy contest! You will be able to win these beautiful signed ARCs of INDIGO.
And check out the exciting teaser:
A gift?
A curse?
A moment that changes everything. . . .
Caught in an unexpected spring squall, Corrine's first instinct is to protect her little sister Sophie after a nasty fall. But when Corrine reaches out to comfort her sister, the exact opposite occurs. Her touch--charged with an otherworldly force and bursting with blinding indigo color--surges violently from Corrine to her sister. In an instant, Sophie is dead. From that moment on, Corrine convinces herself that everyone would be better off if she simply withdrew from life.
When her family abruptly moves to New Orleans, Corrine's withdrawal is made all the easier. No friends. No connections. No chance of hurting anyone. But strange things continue to happen around her in this haunting, mystical city. And she realizes that her power cannot be ignored, especially when Rennick, a talented local artist with a bad-boy past, suggests another possibility: Corrine might have the touch. An ability to heal those around her. But knowing what happened to her sister, can Corrine trust her gift?
I mean, aren't you just dying to find out what happens to Corrine? I love this story, and it is so close to my heart. More on why and my inspirations later. Anyway.
You can win an INDIGO ARC in my contest, and you will be able to read this MONTHS before the October 22 release date.
And if that isn't cool enough, you can also win bookmarks, which I don't have a picture of YET.
And you can win this:
Yes, you can win an iPod Shuffle! I'll even let you choose the color!
Well, some fabulous book bloggers are going to help me out with this giveaway, and I will give you all the details next week. BUT... one way to get MANY entries into the drawing is to buy FLUTTER! So get on that if you already haven't!!!
If you buy FLUTTER, you could win INDIGO!
Stay tuned!!!
These exist.
Commence my heart beating out of my chest and my face melting off because of the awesomeness.
I mean, they're actually letting me have another book out?! One wasn't too much, world? I am so grateful. An embarrassment of riches for me today. I LOOOOVe this book so much.
More on the plot, my inspirations, and who Corrinne Harlowe is on this awesome/creepy/cool cover later.
Oh, wait. One more pic. Of the sisters.
People.
The cover for my next book is here.
I LOOOOVE it. There arent' enough adjectives in the world to explain how much I love it.
It is awesome, and I can hardly even handle the creepy/coolness. This cover is Corrine Harlowe and her indigo touch. Hence, the awesome blue tones. And the font for the title is so New Orleans-esque with the corn-stalk-ironwork-ish embellisments, and the tagline. Dude.
Some gifts burn.
I am so excited for you to meet Corrine and read her story and go on her journey with her. It is, for me, a very personal and hopeful journey. More on that later.
Check out the flap copy:
How can the gentlest of gestures cause the most harm?
Caught in an unexpected summer squall Corrine’s first instinct was to protect her little sister Sophie after a nasty fall. But when Corrine reached out to comfort her sister, the exact opposite occurred. Her touch—charged with an otherworldly force and bursting with blinding color—surged violently from Corrine to her sister. In an instant, Sophie was dead. From that moment on Corrine convinced herself that everyone would be better off if she simply withdrew from life.
When her family abruptly moves to New Orleans, Corrine’s withdrawl is made all the easier. No friends. No connections. No chance of hurting anyone. But strange things continue to happen around her in this moody, mystical city. And Corrine realizes that this power cannot be ignored, especially when Rennick, a talented local teen artist, suggests another possiblity: Corrine's ability to read peoples' physio-electricity might actually be a sixth sense that can be controlled.
I read the new review of FLUTTER in the School Library Journal this month, and it was lovely, with so many nice things to say. And a friend alerted me to the reviews in VOYA and Booklist as well. These are all journals for libraries and schools that review children's and young adult books. And these journals help get books into the hands of young people. For that, I am so grateful.
For librarians and teachers everywhere who match books with young people, I thank you.
And I am not saying that FLUTTER is going to change anyone's life or reach a kid in that dire moment that they need to know they aren't alone, but I know that books can do this. Books save kids. And so do librarians and teachers. They save kids. By getting them reading. It rescues their minds, shows them that they have this space between their ears that is all theirs, and they can live a thousand lives in there. They can find strength from that, and a path away from the things that are so HARD in adolescence. Away from hard home lives. From dwindling self-esteem. From peer pressure. From bullies. And from that feeling that they are alone in the world.
So thank you for that librarians and teachers.
And thank you for the lovely reviews in the journals I mentioned. It kinda makes up for when you get a snarky review -- not naming any names. **cough** (Kirkus) **cough**
Here are some of my most favorite quotes from the library journals:
"A unique blend of romance and science fiction, Flutter offers readers a captivating mystery and an even more engaging heroine. ... [T]rying to determine the true nature of Emery's loops provides a fascinating journey and a distinctive look at the struggle between science and faith, as well as what it means to find hope and true independence in a complicated world." VOYA
" ... Linko takes the reader on a reflective journey that will inspire discussion." Booklist
"Flutter is an interesting read, and the characters are well-rounded ... the plot progresses nicely and combines suspense, family drama, science fiction and romance." School Library Journal
Enter here if you are a librarian or teacher for a free copy of FLUTTER for your collection!
Happy 2013 to all of you! And to get things started right, I have two signed and personalized copies of FLUTTER to give away on Goodreads. You can enter below!
Also, you can get a romantical sneaky peeky of Emery and Ash here.
Disclaimer: These are my favorite reads from 2012, although some were published in earlier.
"I could absolutely taste the chocolate, but in drifts and traces, in an unfurling, or an opening, it seemed that my mouth was also filling with the taste of smallness, the sensation of shrinking, of upset, tasting a distance I somehow knew was connected to my mother, tasting a crowded sense of her thinking..."
"Skata and Corr gallop, shoulder to shoulder, every step taking us farther into the surf. I taste salt water; my saddle is slimy with it. Every muscle in Corr's body shivers and shimmers. Glancing at Mutt, I see that he's having a hard time keeping his seat.
Too late I see his knife."
What books have you LOVED this year?
From FLUTTER, a romantical sneak peek from about halfway through the book!
We stood looking at each other for a long time in the moonlight, in front of the entrance to the path to the Dala Cabin. The evergreens were sagging and weighted down, thick with heavy, wet snow from the earlier flurries. The moonlight glistened and glowed off the frozen surface of the evergreens. It twinkled, really.
Ash reached out slowly and touched my cheek only for an instant, with the pad of his thumb. Then he moved his hand away from me, abruptly.
“Emery,” he said.
I took a sharp intake of air. Business, I tried to tell myself.
“I can’t…” He shook his head. “I didn’t want to turn you down for dinner… the other day … I just can’t... ”
I nodded, wanting him to go on, wanting him to touch me again. His touch was electric on my skin.
“I’m not…” He took a step back from me. “I’m not someone you can know, not …”
“I understand,” I said, although I didn’t.
He took another step back from me. I moved forward without thinking, feeling pulled toward him, closing the space between us. His eyes met mine, and the breath caught in my throat, every molecule in my body feeling pulled toward him, leaning me into his space, into his energy. It was a heady feeling, disorienting.
Although I barely knew him, I didn’t know if I could pretend even one more second that this thing between us -- whatever it was – wasn’t wonderful.
“I have to go,” he said, only leaning in closer to me, our faces only inches apart. I could feel the warmth from his breath.
“No,” I whispered. “Where are you going?”
He shook his head then, looked down, saying something under his breath. I couldn’t be too sure what it was, but it sounded like, “Penance.” But suddenly watching him, with his eyes cast down, his lashes shadowing his cheekbones, the way he held himself both leaning toward me, but also restraining himself, filling the space between us with his heady, soapy scent, I just couldn’t take it anymore.
So when he looked up, I closed the small distance between us. I stood on my tiptoes, and I pressed my lips to his. In my hurry, I missed a little bit, landing my lips more on the corner of his mouth, and for a second he didn’t react, but then he turned his face toward me, pressing his lips against mine, a full kiss, a real kiss. And the fireworks exploded deep inside me, sending ribbons of heat from my center out to my limbs, a gorgeous, surprising feeling, like a warm breeze beneath my skin.
Both of his hands went to my face, gently. And just when I thought he was going to pull away, he leaned into the kiss again, longer, deeper. The heat inside me surging again. I smiled behind the kiss, without meaning to, and I brushed my fingertips on his stubble, loving its feel against my fingertips.
He pulled away and we just looked at each other. Should I apologize? Make a joke? Do it again?
“Emery,” he said, my name turning to music in his voice, the quiet deepness of it. He closed his eyes for a moment, shook his head, smiled. I wanted to kiss him again. Right on that crooked eyetooth. But when he opened his eyes, his smile disappeared, and he was himself again. Measured. Cool. “Emery,” he said again. A goodbye.
Then he turned on his heel and left.
You can email me -- use the form on this website or just send to gina (at) ginalinko.com, and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate to include with the fabulous gift of FLUTTER! Just tell me who to make it out to. And give me your address. It is a perfect gift for any tween/teen readers, or those who are teens at heart.
You can order it on Amazon here. Barnes and Noble here. Or you can go indie and order from our awesome Anderson's here.
Thanks, and happy gift-giving!
Saturday, December 8th from 11:00am - 1:00pm at Rowe Public Library in Sheridan, IL
"Flutter" is the new teen romance science-fiction thriller by Gina Linko, published by Random House. Books will be available for purchase and signing. There will also be prizes to give away and yummy treats.
Come talk with the writers' group. We are going to discuss Flutter, and also the path to pubication! Hope to see you there.
Please register of this event by calling the library at 815-496-2031.
Have any of you ever heard of Seventeen Magazine? Um, yeah. That Seventeen. Only the coolest, best teen magazine out there! Well, the awesome people at Seventeen have a new giveaway in their December issue, which is out on stands today. If you open to the first few pages in the issue, there is a calendar for the months of December and January, and for each day of the month, Seventeen will be giving away AWESOME-TACULAR prizes!
Books like REACHED by Ally Condie, EVERYDAY by David Levithan, and LIES BENEATH by Anna Greenwood Brown, DVDS like Glee, and albums like Owl City. Each day, you can go online to enter to win a different item.
It reads, "These prizes will have you begging for snow so you can cozy up in your room all day!" And, "Kick off the New Year with 31 ways to beat winter boredom!" And there are SO many prizes.
You guessed it! FLUTTER is part of the giveaway! The awesome, iconic magazine is giving away ten copies of FLUTTER -- "a page-turning science fiction novel" -- on January 5th. Isn't that just so cool?
Thanks so much to the awesome people at Seventeen. And dear readers, go grab a copy of the newest issue so you can enter to win so many cool prizes!
And because I am a geeky, debut author, who grew up reading Seventeen, I have to give you pictures. Behold the coolness:
Thank you, Dear Readers, for not spoiling the ending of FLUTTER. I so appreciate it. I worried about that a lot when the first ARCs were making the rounds, because I wanted every reader to have the same opportunity to read FLUTTER without knowing how it all worked out in the end.
The mystery in FLUTTER is one of the things that -- I hope -- keeps readers flipping those pages, trying to figure out exactly what is going on with Emery and her loops. And, as I've said before, the end, for me, is the best part, the most important part. I wrote Emery's story with the end in mind, from the very beginning. And I've been absolutely DELIGHTED to see some of the comments that readers have said about the surprise ending.
Here are some of my favorites:
"And then the end. What an ending! Normally I'm not good in not spoiling anything but this time I'm really going to shut my mouth cause in my opinion the ending is the cherry on the cake. I think it is because of the ending the book will stick with me for even longer." -- from Melissa on Goodreads
"Well into the book, I was patting myself on the back for having figured it out. I got this Gina Linko. I see where you're going. I think it's...I'M WRONG?!?! Yep, wrong. Totally wrongity-wrong wrong wrong. And I loved being wrong. It was great. The reveal was fantastic..." -- from Mickey Goodreads
"There are surprises as the story goes along - ones that made me gasp - out loud! Oh, and the ending made me cheer - again, out loud." -- Maegan on Amazon
"The building tension will keep readers glued to the pages: I literally inhaled the last 100 pages!" --from Melissa O. on Goodreads
Of course, I've seen some tweets like, "OMG. That ending." And I've read a few complaints about it too. But, as another reader stated, "It's not for the faint of heart."
I'm just so glad that it is getting people talking. And even more glad that it has stayed a secret. Thank you, Dear Readers!
A huge thanks goes out to the White Oak Library -- especially Cindy and Natalie -- for hosting this wonderful event. They really went above and beyond for FLUTTER! It was so fun! The library provided cupcakes, but not just cupcakes. They had tiny little FLUTTER bookcovers on them! Behold:
And they had these gorgeous posters of the FLUTTER cover! (That's me being way too excitable. But can you blame me?)
And then I signed books! So many of them! We had over 100 people there, and I was just so overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you to all of you for taking time out of your busy schedule and helping us celebrate! Here is a cute pic with one of my nieces. (Thanks, Kylee!)
And then a friend of mine from long ago sent me a picture of her daughter last night, reading FLUTTER. She finished it in one sitting and reported that she *loved* it. Is there any better endorsement? Thank you, Samantha!
So, again, a humbled, grateful author just wants to say thank you one more time. To all of you readers! You are so dear to my heart.
